Captain Sonatane Takulua scores a hat-trick as Tonga qualifies for Rugby World Cup

Tonga captain Sonatane Takulua played his hat-trick of tries after guiding the ‘Ikale Tahi to an eighth consecutive Rugby World Cup.

The 31-year-old Toulon halfback came three times in a 44-22 win over Hong Kong in the Asia-Pacific play-off at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

“I’m lucky enough to get these three tries, but it wasn’t just me, it was a great effort from all the guys and it’s a great relief to get the win,” Takulua said.

The ‘Ikale Tahi’ will take on Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Romania in Group B at the Rugby World Cup 2023, while Hong Kong will battle for the final qualifying spot against Portugal, Kenya and the United States in November.

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Awarded by a supportive group of Tongan fans in Kawana Waters, two attempts by Tonga were disallowed in the first four minutes.

Takulua later praised the support, saying: “Tongan supporters are always behind us wherever we go in the world and to get such support behind us tonight was a big push for us.”

Hong Kong came under heavy pressure and were awarded five penalties in the first 10 minutes before Tongan fly half William Havili finally gave them a penalty in the 11th minute.

It took only minutes for Tonga to extend their lead with Takulua snapping at the ruck to score the first try of the game.

Hong Kong managed to get their hands on the ball and scored a try with their first ever visit in the Tongan 22 when a slick pass cornered whore Alex Post.

Takulua continued to drive the ʻIkale Tahi forward and scored his second try in the same fashion as the first, but not before the TMO had their say again, but this time sided with the Tongans.

Hong Kong responded almost immediately, after a great run from fullback Nate de Thierry and Tom Hill led Tongan hooker Siua Maile to delay the ball illegally. He was sent to the bin, allowing Gregor McNeish to kick the penalty and narrow the deficit to nine.

Despite being a man-down, Tonga were the only team to score in the last 10 minutes, with Havili kicking a second penalty to give Tonga a 20-8 lead going into halftime.

Tonga started the second half perfectly with attempts by Takulua and Siegfried Fisi’ihoi in the first 10 minutes.

Tonga’s scrum dominance continued and led to multiple penalties in opposing 22, with winger Telusa Veainu finishing a set-piece before fellow winger Anzelo Tuitavuki scored his own try after a 65-yard line busted the wing.

Leading 44-8 with five minutes to go, nothing worked for Hong Kong until the ball accidentally hit umpire Damon Murphy, allowing McNeish to take the free kick and send the field to Matt Worley, who collected the ball for the score.

Worley was at the end of another suburban kick, darting into the field to retrieve Bryn Philips’ 70m point to score full-time, with McNeish converting to end the game 44-22.

Tonga 44 (Sonatane Takalua 3, Siegried Fisi’ihoi, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Telusa Veainu tries; William Havili 4 con, 2 pen) Hong Kong 22 (Matt Worley 2, Alex Post tries; Gregor McNeish 2 con, pen). HT: 20-8.